3Child and Family Resource CouncilMission To shape a community that protects children from abuse and neglect. 4History of the Council

History

The Council was formed in 1985 as a means to proactively deal with child abuse and neglect in Kent County. Since the beginning, the Council has utilized primary and secondary prevention strategies to accomplish its goals.

Why Prevention?

The Councils programs and services are provided before problems arise. In other words, while other organizations focus on treating the effects of child abuse and neglect, we work to stop abuse and neglect from ever happening.

5Council Programs and Services

Connections Offers helpful information about your childs development, parenting tips, and ideas for fun activities to do with your child.

Community Education Educational services and trainings such as Mandated Reporter Training, Shaken Baby Syndrome, parenting education, and other topics to help prevent child abuse and neglect.

Encouraging Family Foundations Provides a series of parenting and life skills classes to unmarried parents of children 0-2 years old.

6Programs and Services (continued)

Family Resource Guide Comprehensive, easy-to-use directory of over 900 programs, services, and resources available to children and families in Kent County.

Kent County Healthy Start Provides support for first-time parents through home visitation, phone calls, and information.

RAVE (Resources Against Violent Encounters) Using the In Touch With Teens program and peer education, RAVE helps teach adolescents about sexual assault and dating violence prevention.

7How is Prevention Defined?

Primary services are available to all members of the general population and seek to promote wellness.

Secondary services are offered to adults and children who are considered "at risk" for abuse or neglect.

Tertiary services are offered to populations where child abuse and neglect has been substantiated with the focus on preventing further occurrences.

8Prevention Saves More Than Lives

Child abuse costs 258 million per day.

Estimated cost to the average American family is 1,400 each year to pay for the consequences of child abuse rather than spending 1.06 on preventing it.

For every 1 spent on child abuse prevention, 34 will not be spent on publicly-funded, crisis-oriented programming.

(Michigan Chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America)

9What is Mandated Reporting?

A Mandated Reporter is someone who is required by law to report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect

All 50 states and Puerto Rico have some sort of reporting law

25 states include clergy on list of Mandated Reporters (includes Michigan)

18 states and Puerto Rico require any person who suspects child abuse and neglect to report them (does not include Michigan)

10Michigans Mandated Reporters Include

Physician

Psychologist

Regulated Child Care Provider

Registered Dental Hygienist

Regulated Child Care Provider

School Administrator

School Counselor or Teacher

Social Work Technician

Audiologist

Dentist

Clergy

Law Enforcement Officer

Licensed Counselor

Licensed Emergency Medical Care Provider

Marriage and Family Therapist

Medical examiner

Nurse

Physician Assistant

11Clergys Responsibility to Report

In December 2002, former Governor John Engler approved Public Act 693, adding members of the clergy to the list of individuals who are mandated reporters of suspected child abuse or neglect

The Act took effect March 1, 2003

The passage of this important bill was the direct result of the advocacy efforts of many individuals in our own community and in communities across the state

12Michigans Reporting Law

Act 238 went into effect on October 1, 1975

It has been amended and updated several times since then

The law states

Those who have reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect shall make immediatelyan oral report.

Within 72 hours after making the oral report, the reporting person shall file a written report.

13Why are Mandated Reporters Important?

Mandated Reporters are typically professionals who see children and families on a daily basis

Many have access to information/secrets that others do not

They can help prevent many cases of abuse and neglect

They are a vital link between children who need help and the services that can help them

14What is Child Abuse? The Child and Family Resource Council defines child abuse/maltreatment as a non-accidental injury to a child which, regardless of motive, is inflicted or allowed to be inflicted by the person responsible for the child's care. Maltreatment includes, but is not limited to, malnutrition, sexual molestation, deprivation of necessities, emotional maltreatment, or cruel punishment. 15Which Children Are Most Vulnerable?

Research indicates very young children (ages 3 and younger) are the most frequent victims of child fatalities.

NCANDS data for 2004 demonstrated children younger than 1 year accounted for 45 of fatalities.

This population of children is the most vulnerable for many reasons, including their dependency, small size, and inability to defend themselves.

(Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2006).

16Which Children Are Most Vulnerable?(Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2006). 17Who are the Abusers?

Perpetrators are, by definition, individuals responsible for the care and supervision of their children.

Refusing to talk about a secret he/she has with an adult or older child

Spacing out at odd times

Suddenly having money

Talking about a new older friend

Unrealistic fears

28What is Child Neglect?

The Child and Family Resource Council defines child neglect as the failure, whether intentional or not, of the person responsible for the child's care to provide and maintain adequate food, clothing, medical care, supervision, and/or education.

Child neglect can also be defined as a parents (or parents) lack of responsiveness to a child's overall needs.

29Forms of Child Neglect

Physical

Consistent hunger

Inappropriate dress for current weather

Inappropriate food items for lunch

Poor hygiene

Poor growth pattern

Underweight

30Forms of Child Neglect (continued)

Medical

Inadequate medical care

Making false allegations regarding childs medical needs

Not following through with medical

recommendations

31

Malnutrition

In the United States alone, 13 million kids live in homes that do not have an adequate supply of food.

(US Department of Agriculture)

Children who do not receive adequate nourishment may suffer abnormal brain, cognitive, and psychological development which, if not corrected, can be irreparable.(Americas Second Harvest)

40The Roles and Responsibilities of Mandated Reporters 41How Do You Respond to Disclosures?

Believe the child

Do not overreact

Try to reduce the childs level of anxiety

Speak calmly and friendly

NEVER ask questions such as, Why didnt you tell me about this sooner?

Reassure them that what happened is NOT THEIR FAULT

Dont push them to say more than they are willing to say

42Next Steps

Contact Child Protective Services (CPS) at (616) 247-6300

For suspected child sexual abuse

If child is under 13 years of age The Childrens Assessment Center at 336-5160 and DeVos Childrens Hospital at 391-9000 offer 24-hour response for instances of alleged child sexual victimization by its team of experts. (The responses are for those cases that are emergent and warrant a medical examination.)

If child is over 13 years of age The Nurse Examiner Program located at the YWCA at 459-4681

43When Reporting, Have as Much of the Following Information as Possible

Alleged victim's full name, birth date, and race

Alleged perpetrator's full name and relationship to alleged victim (if known)

Child's current address

Context of the disclosure. (For example, was the child asked about the injury or did they volunteer the information?)

Current address and the address where the alleged incident happened (if different)

If the alleged perpetrator lives with the child

Why you think the child is being maltreated

44Example of CPS Report 45After You File a Report

Intake worker receives report

CPS will determine whether to open case for investigation

CPS will begin investigation

CPS will assess the risk of harm or threat of harm to child and, based on the assessment, will take certain actions

CPS will talk to parents, family members, and perhaps teachers to gather information

46After You File (Continued)

CPS will make decision regarding action to take

May not be able to take any action if report is anonymous or cannot find perpetrator

Recommend community services like counseling or parent education classes

If significant risk, may put the child in safe place (St. Johns Home)

In most serious situations, the child will be placed in foster care and eventually moved to another permanent home, but this is only after a lot of time and effort are put into getting parents help and trying to give the parents every possible chance to positively care for the child.

47All CPS Reports Will Fall Under One of the Following Categories

Category V Services Not Needed

Category IV Community Services Recommended

Category III Community Services Needed

Category II Child Protective Services Required

Category I Court Petition Required

48Remember

The goal is to lessen the trauma for the child regardless of the situation.

Personal feelings must not prevent us from reporting suspected child abuse.

Mandated Reporters are neither detectives nor investigators.

Failing to report allows the problem to continue

Those who report in good faith are kept

confidential and are immune from civil or criminal lawsuits (722.625 Sec. 5)

Mandated Reporters may be called to testify on behalf of the child.

49Additional Community Resources

Mandated Reporter Guide Council (454.4673)

Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Childrens Assessment Center (336.5160)

Child Sexual Abuse Intervention YWCA (459.4672)

Parenting Classes

Arbor Circle (456.7775)

Council (454.4673)

Family Outreach Center (247.3815)

Life Guidance Services (774.0633)

YWCA (459.4681)

50

There is no trust more sacred than the one the world holds with children. There is no duty more important than ensuring that their rights are respected, that their welfare is protected, that their lives are free from fear and want and that they grow up in peace.

Kofi A. Annan

Secretary-General of the United Nations

51For more information, contact the Council at 616.454.4673 or look at our websitewww.childresource.ccTHANK YOU FOR COMING!

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